Our dogs health and wellbeing is of paramount importance and one main aspect of our dogs health is their musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments. In this blog post, we'll explore how incorporating Omega-3 essential fatty acids and herbs into your dog's diet can contribute to optimal musculoskeletal health.
Understanding your dogs musculoskeletal health
The musculoskeletal system plays a vital role in our dog's ability to move, run, jump, and maintain an active lifestyle. Factors such as age, breed, genetics and lifestyle can impact the health of our dog's bones and joints. Common musculoskeletal issues in dogs include arthritis, hip dysplasia, and general joint stiffness & inflammation, which if left untreated can be painful and can lead to additional inflammatory type health issues.
Exercise and your dog
As our dogs grow and develop from puppies, their bones and ligaments are softer and as such can be subject to damage or injury. It is important for your pups musculoskeletal health to provide gentle exercise and be cautious to keep jumping and over-extending to a minimum. Likewise, seniors require extra care and gentle exercise is recommended to avoid sprain or bone injury due to conditions like arthritis.
If your dog competes in gaming sports, such as fly ball or agility, they will require extra support of their musculoskeletal system to minimise the possibility of sprain, injury or breaks. Likewise if you have a breed that is very active and high energy, extra support is vital.
Whether your dog is young, old or extra active, we would suggest a diet that contains meaty bones which contain a natural form of chondroitin and which helps to strengthen and support cartilage. Supplementing your dogs diet with natural bone & joint products such as Proflax oils, powders or chews is an ideal way to effectively support your dogs musculoskeletal system.
Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids: A Foundation for Health
Omega-3 essential fatty acids are essential nutrients that offer a myriad of health benefits for dogs. These healthy fats, found in either plant (flax) or fish oils, are amazing anti-inflammatory agents and possess properties that can help alleviate joint pain and stiffness associated with conditions like arthritis.
Joint Lubrication: Essential fatty acids support the production of synovial fluid, a natural lubricant that helps maintain joint flexibility and ease of movement.
Bone Health: Omega-3s contribute to the overall health of bones by promoting proper mineralization and density.
Herbs for Musculoskeletal Support: In addition to Omega-3 fatty acids, certain herbs can be amazing ingredients that promote musculoskeletal health in dogs. Incorporating these herbs into your dog's diet can offer natural support for their joints and muscles:
Turmeric: Known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, turmeric can help manage joint pain and inflammation.
Boswellia: This herb has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory effects, making it beneficial for dogs with arthritis.
Ginger: With anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, ginger can help alleviate pain and improve joint function.
Dandelion: Beneficial for the bones, kidney and gallbladder. A natural cleanser and detoxifier.
Proflax recommend incorporating Omega-3 fatty acids and herbs into your dog's daily diet to maintain the health of their musculoskeletal system. This is even more critical if your dog is elderly or has a bone, joint or ligament condition that requires additional support.
Proflax have several ready to feed supplements, two of which are Omega-3 oil & herbal, being Bone & Joint (75% cold pressed flaxseed oil and 25% herbal tincture blend) and Omega Bounce (75% salmon oil and 25% herbal tincture blend). Both of these 100% natural products include some of the above mentioned fantastic herbal ingredients plus additional herbs that are adaptogenic and supportive of other systems, so aid circulation and are cleansing. They also include natural ingredients that offer pain relief. Both oils are suitable for puppies over 8 weeks old. Proflax also have a product called Golden Oldies for all-round support for the older dog, typically seven years plus. This product not only supports joint health, but also the brain, heart, liver, kidneys and immune, digestive & circulatory systems.
Proflax Mega Mobility - Powdered Supplement
Should your dog not like the taste of Omega-3 in oil form, Proflax have a powder form available called Mega Mobility. This amazing blend also contains MSM and vegan glucosamine alongside of powerful herbs Boswellia and Turmeric. It is suitable for all dogs and puppies over 12 weeks old.
MSM may be effective in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation that can weaken immunity. Since it’s effective in reducing levels of inflammatory compounds like IL-6 and TNF-ɑ, MSM may reduce stress on your dog's immune system. Additionally, it plays a part in the creation of glutathione, a master antioxidant. It may also help increase levels of this important compound.
Vegan Glucosamine offers support in cartilige growth and encourages synovial fluid production. Encouraging fluidity in your dog's joints and ligaments.
Then you have herbs like Turmeric & Black Pepper, Spirulina, Boswellia, Ground Linseed, Blueberry Powder and Nettle.
Mega Mobility can be fed alongside a Proflax oil, e.g. an older dog that requires general health support can be fed Proflax Golden Oldies Oil with the Mega Mobility Powder, in daily rotation as part of a comprehensive supplement health programme
